The annual award organized by Infrastructure Today, India's premier magazine for nation builders, in association with KPMG, recognizes excellence in infrastructure sectors. MARG Karaikal Port was adjudged as Most admired emerging Infrastructure Company for its excellent performance & growth in transport segment, in the past year. Gracing the occasion as Chief Guest was the Minister for Urban Development, Mr. Kamal Nath who presented the award to MARG Karaikal Port at a glittering ceremony in New Delhi, amidst 250 top practitioners.

The selection to these awards was through an extensive industry survey conducted by Infrastructure Today, after which a short list was arrived at. The jury comprising of eminent personalities such as Rajeev Sinha, Wholetime Director, Mundra Ports & SEZ; Ramesh Chandak, Managing Director & CEO, KEC International Ltd.; Sunil Kanoria, Vice Chairman, SREI Infrastructure Finance Ltd; Tilak Raj Sheth, Head Infrastructure, Siemens went through elaborate discussions and voting to finally select the winners.

Commenting on this recognition to MARG Karaikal Port, GRK Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director - MARG Group said “MARG Karaikal Port is one of the finest ports on the South East Coast of India with strong project fundaments and best-in-class operation metrics. With the region around the port envisaged to attract more than USD 10 billion of investments in the next decade, MARG Karaikal Port has fast emerged as the trade gateway of Central Tamil Nadu & Puducherry. The award evaluated by no less a reputed entity than KPMG is testimony to the giant strides that the port has taken in recent times and the fact that it is the only port in India that offers in-house logistics solutions” .

The award to MARG Karaikal Port in the transport segment is in appreciation to the value added offering of total integrated logistics services to its EXIM customers. Meeting customer satisfaction, maximizing operational efficiency and providing precise and time sensitive services have been the underling factor behind winning this prestigious award. In house logistics started the road transportation service as a value addition to ensure that cargo importers are confident about timely evacuation & movement of cargo from port to their locations. Moreover MARG Karaikal Port is the only port in India to have in-house logistic solutions.

Commenting on the recognition, M.L.N. Acharyulu, Executive Director- Marine Infrastructure at MARG, said “It has been our endeavour to pass on the resultant economies of scale to our valued customers who today represent a diverse cargo mix. Going forward, MARG Karaikal Port is confident of setting higher standards of performance in every sphere of its operation. Higher discharge rates, no pre-berthing delays, faster turnaround times and savings in the integrated logistics costs vis-à-vis competing ports, have helped the port in attracting almost all major customers in the Central Tamil Nadu/ Puducherry region."

MARG Karaikal Port has the unique advantage of being served by 4 national highways - NH 45, NH 67, NH 45A & NH 45C. The network of National & State highways further enhances connectivity to other industrial hubs in Tamil Nadu. The Port has developed 3 private railways sidings within 6 months of commencement of operations. Rail link connects the port to major manufacturing hubs of cement, steel, chemical, aluminum & textile in Ariyalur, Trichy and Salem districts, thus ensuring heavy but smooth freight movement on the route.

About the Award:

KPMG Infrastructure Today awards were held for fifth year in a row by Infrastructure Today and KPMG India. The objective of the award is to recognize the achievements of infrastructure developers and exalting their contribution to the nation's growth.

Infrastructure Today, an international award-winning publication from ASAPP Media Information Group is the most read magazine in India on the infrastructure sectors. It partners in the nation's building process by offering valuable information, insights and analyses. Its readership profile includes policymakers and public office bearers, town planners, investors, contractors, developers, consultants, utility providers, engineers, banks and financial institutions, educators and researchers, and decision makers in other organisations that provide products or services to the infrastructure sectors.

KPMG in India is the Indian member firm of KPMG International and was established in September 1993. It strives to provide rapid, performance-based, industry-focused and technology-enabled services, which reflect a shared knowledge of global and local industries and its experience of the Indian business environment. KPMG in India provides services to over 2,700 international and national clients in India.